Lockdown Musings

It would be easy to become despondent or even depressed as the current, modern-day, plague continues to take its course. Recriminations bounce around the media and governmental circles, and the world has suddenly become populated by experts, all of whom seem to know better than those tasked with steering our society through this crisis.

And it seems that some people really believe that by some miracle of science, electromagnetic radiation from radio masts can transmute into a virus. Medieval alchemistic myths are still alive and well in 21st Century Britain!

Statistics are being quoted and misquoted, and arguments abound about the number of deaths, with, apparently, little thought for the personal tragedies in grieving families. The phrase, popularised by Mark Twain in the 19th century, “There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics.” comes to mind. It was probably as true then as it is today!

My Bible notes took me this morning to John 17, where Jesus prayed that His disciples would be protected from the “world”. No matter how we feel, though, He didn’t pray that we would be taken out of the world; rather that the world would be taken out of us (sanctification). We are citizens of a new world, where there is no sadness, sickness, plague, or death, though for a time we are having to remain in the old world. So we look on as the citizens of this world thrash around, riven by fear, searching for reasons, looking for scapegoats. But the reason we stay and live in this world is to share the hope that we have inside us, providing stability as people’s foundations are shaken. Jesus in John 17:21b says, “May they also be in Us so that the world may believe that You have sent Me“. That’s what it’s all about, folks. The closer we are to God, the more the world will see that we are of a different spirit, one that is wired into Heaven. So let’s keep praying and using every item in our technological tool box to reach out to those around us, bringing words of life. How about introducing our friends, neighbours and family to Psalm 46:1, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” Or Psalm 23:4. and there are many more relevant Scriptures.

I don’t know, how much longer this house arrest will continue. But I do know that God is with us, and will still be with us long after this plague has passed. Keep praying!